Fairbanks will no longer pay attorney fees for Mayor John Eberhart.
The City Council voted Monday to cease all spending on the court case between Eberhart and the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The city has spent $15,866 defending Eberhart against the state’s election law regulatory body.
Discussion originally was slated for executive session, but Eberhart opened proceedings to the public to increase transparency. Much of what was discussed was confidential material or originated from previous executive sessions.
In May 2014, APOC concluded Eberhart broke state election law by misusing his city council email account and fined him $37.50.
Eberhart contends APOC was on a “fishing expedition” and hired attorney Michael Walleri for counsel. Under an indemnification law, city government covers defense costs of public officials sued while performing official duties, in most cases.
Councilman Jerry Cleworth introduced the motion to cut funding. He agrees with much of what the mayor is fighting against, but called the whole event an “absolute travesty.”
Councilman Jim Matherly described the city funding Walleri as “a PR nightmare,” and said “the tax payer looks at this as wasteful.”
Eberhart said, “I intend to continue with his (Walleri’s) counsel.”
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